In South Korea, Joe Biden reaches out to North Koreans affected by Covid-19
US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol during their joint press conference on May 21 in Seoul.
© AP - Evan Vucci
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
On the second day of Joe Biden's Asian tour this Saturday, May 21, there was a summit with the new South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on the program.
After a long meeting, the two heads of state reaffirmed their desire to strengthen their alliance militarily and economically.
This meeting took place in a particular security context.
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With our correspondent in Seoul
,
Nicolas Rocca
Both countries announced that a North Korean "provocation" would be imminent.
North Korea in the midst of a health crisis after detecting its
first cases of Covid-19
ten days ago was therefore at the heart of the discussions.
The extension of the joint military exercises decided by Joe Biden and Yoon Suk-yeol is not likely to please Pyongyang.
The two heads of state presented a rather hard line vis-à-vis North Korea, reaffirming that the United States was ready to use conventional weapons such as nuclear to deter any attack on South Korean soil.
Americans ready to provide vaccines to North Koreans
Nevertheless, it is difficult to ignore the health situation in North Korea.
The unvaccinated population runs a significant risk while the authorities have identified since the end of April more than two million cases of “
fever
”.
Joe Biden has raised the possibility of health aid and a meeting with Kim Jong-un.
“
Will I provide vaccines to North Korea?
The answer is yes.
We have offered vaccines not only to North Korea, but also to China.
We were ready to do it immediately for North Korea, but we have no response.
Regarding the possibility of a meeting with the North Korean leader, it would depend on whether he was sincere and serious in his approach
,” said the American president.
It is hard to imagine that this timid outstretched hand could succeed.
Pyongyang has never responded to offers to meet without preconditions repeated for more than a year by the Biden administration.
For now, despite the difficulties faced by the regime in its fight against the pandemic, it seems to be content with the help provided by its Chinese ally.
►Also read: Defence, economy and China at the center of Joe Biden's visit to South Korea
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South Korea
North Korea
United States
Joe Biden
Yoon Suk-yeol
Diplomacy